5 Afghans die of alcohol poisoning

KABUL (AFP) - Five young people have died of alcohol poisoning after drinking ethanol at a wedding party in the Afghan capital, an official said Sunday. Another seven are in a critical condition in hospital after the party on Friday night, said Kabul's criminal investigation chief Mohammad Zahir. Alcohol is illegal in the Islamic country and under sharia law those who buy, sell, or consume alcohol can be fined or imprisoned. But many young Afghans resort to buying alcohol on the black market or risk drinking adulterated home brews.